Fruit-cutting device



Feb. 13, 1923. 1,444,976.

J. I. MANDLEY.

FRUIT CUTTING DEVICE.

FILED OCT. 26, 1921.

Patented Feb. 13, 1923.

airs seas JOSEPH IVAN MANDLEY, OF CHELAN FALLS, KVASHINGTON.

FEUIT-CUTTING DEVICE.

Application filed Gotober. 26, 1921. Serial No. 510,508.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH IVAN Milne ma a citizen of the United States, residing at Chelan Falls, in the county of Chelan and State of lVashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit- Cutting Devices, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in fruit cutting devices.

An important object ofthe invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, adapted to be mounted upon the thumb of the user, and is designed to cut the stern of the fruit, in a highly convenient and expeditious manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which when applied to the thumb, will not interfere with the bending of the thumb in the proper handling or grasping of the fruit.

A further obj ect of the. invention is to provide a body portion of simple construction, which provides a blade, and a means of attaching thereto the flexible thumb receiving element.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

Tn the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

F 1 is a perspective view of the device C11ll')O(lYlIl Q my invention showing the same in use,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device removed,

Fig. 8 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the same,

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 1-4: of Fig. 8, and,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of 'the body portion of the device.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates a. body portion, preferably formed of a strip of metal, having its forward end bent upwardly into a guard 11, adapted to serve as a thumb stop. The strip of metal is bent upon itself, at 12, providing a lower section 13, spaced slightly from the upper section 14;. The forward end of this lower section'is bent downwardly at and sharpened for providing a blade or cutting edge.

The thumb-encircling element embodies a lower portion 16, which is U-shaped in cross section. This portion 16 may be formed of leather or like material. The lower portion 16 is passed between the :upper and lower sections 13 and 14:, and is clamped therein. The U-shaped portion 16 is split transversely at a point spaced from its rear end as shown at 17, to lend flexibility to the same. The thumb encircling element further comprises an elastic element or portion 18, stitched to the U-shaped portion 16 at 19. Rearwardly of the elastic element 18' is a second elastic element 19, disposed rearwardly of'the slit 17, and secured to the U-shaped portion 16, by stitching 20.

In the use of the device the same is applied to the thumb of either hand asshown in Fig; 1. The slit 17 between the spaced elements 18 and 19 renders the device flexible, rearwardly of (the body portion 10, and hence thethumb may be bent at the joint. This renders'the handling or grasping of the fruit convenient. In picking the fruit it is grasped in the hand as indicated in Fig. 1. The index finger is behind the stem of the fruit and the cutting edge 15 is brought to bear upon, the opposite side of the stem. Obviously, a pull upon the fruit will cause the stem to be pressed into firm engagement with the cutting edge and severed. The presence of the device upon the thumb will not interfere with the handling of the cut fruit, without liability of injury.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subj oined claims.

Having thus claim:

.1. A fruit picking device comprising a blade having a forward cutting edge, a flex-I ible finger receiving element formed U- shaped in cross section secured to the blade and extending longitudinally of said blade and provided with a transverse slit rearwardly of the blade whereby the finger may be bent at the joint, and spaced flexible eledescribed my invention, I

inents secured to the upper ends of the U" shaped member.

2. A fruit picking device, comprising a blade having a forward cutting edge, a sec tion connected with the rear end of the blade and extending longitudinally thereof in a forwardly direction. and a flexible finger receiving element having a portion thereof passed between the blade and said section and held by the same.

3. A fruit picking device comprising a strip bent upon itself to form spaced upper and lower sections the lower section having its forward end sharpened to provide a cutting edge, and the upper section having its forward. end bent upwardly to provide guard, and a tubular finger receiving element having a portion thereof held between the upper and lower sections.

4. A fruit picking device comprising a metallic strip bent upon itself to form upper and lower spaced sections, the forward end of the lower section being bent downwardly and sharpened to provide a cutting edge and the forward end of the upper section being bent upwardly to form a guard constituting a thumb stop, and a flexible tubular thumb receiving element having a portion thereof passed between the upper and lower sections.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH IVAN MANDLEY. 

